Tree felling causes temporary road closure

Parts of Imber Road in Warminster will be temporarily closed between 10th and 24th August to allow for essential tree felling.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), together with its industry partner, Landmarc Support Services (Landmarc) and contractor ArbAware, is continuing its tree-felling clearance scheme to remove trees infected with ash dieback disease.

The DIO says thousands of ash trees across Salisbury Plain Training Area are infected with ash dieback, which causes trees to weaken over time, leading to falling branches and eventually trees collapsing and dying.

It says this presents a significant health and safety risk alongside roads and in woodland areas used by the public for recreation and military personnel for training.

Work will take place in sections along Imber Road from Copheap Lane to St Giles’ Church. Elm Hill will remain open.

The closure will take place between 9am and 4pm on weekdays as part of a rolling programme between 10th and 24th August. Details of specific closures as they occur will be available on gov.uk or on the website one.network.

Work will be temporarily halted to provide access to local residents and allow buses and emergency vehicles to continue along the road on their usual routes. However, it may take a few minutes to pause work to allow access, so alternative routes are requested where possible.

Banksmen will be present at each end of the closure to direct pedestrians and road users.

Lt Col Andy Hough, DIO’s Commander South West Training Estate, said, “While it is unfortunate that these trees must be felled, it is sadly necessary for the protection of everyone using these roads. We apologise for the disruption this will cause and ask for the patience of road users so that we can carry out this important work.”

Local residents, St Giles’ Church, the Army’s Land Warfare Centre and Bright Beginnings nursery have been warned of the closures to allow necessary provisions to be made.

More details about ash dieback on the MOD estate, as well as details about the felling process and replanting, can be found on www.gov.uk.

Queries regarding the felling process on Salisbury Plain Training Area should be directed to nsc@landmarc.mod.uk or 0800 022 3334.

Pictured: Tree felling work (by Landmarc Support Services)